Article of footwear and supporting member



Feb. 14, 1950 H. L. WHITMAN 2,497,250

ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND SUPPORTING MEMBER Filed Jan.- 29, 1948 J/ 23 i If J v 29 I7 '4 /0 34 ZZT 7 7R @527 'L- L/hg/man 5 69M 11 I iffy- Patented Feb. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND SUPPORTING MEMBER Hyman L. Whitman, East Bridgewater, Mass, as-

signor to The B.

F. Goodrich Company, New

This invention relates to a supporting member I for use in combination with a sole for an article of footwear and is particularly concerned with a supporting structure for footwear whereby the weight of the wearer is distributed principally at three zones on the plantar surface of the foot.

In theory, the thrust of the body weight should be distributed at three zones on the plantar surface of the foot. The pressure should first localize in part in the area below the articulation of m the scaphoid, astragalus and oscalcis; next, in the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal; and lastly, in the region of the head of the first metatarsal. In many cases, however, the desired three point weight suspension cannot be attained with- 16 out the use of a supporting structure adapted to rotate the foot into correct alignment.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide means adapted to ensure correct distribution of the body weight pressure thrust on the plantar 0 surface of the foot and particularly to provide a unitary supporting member for use in combination with footwear having soles of conventional configuration. Other obJects W111 be apparent to the midpoint from the description which follows.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the structure embodying this invention is of maximum height above the normal upper face of the sole in the region lying generally below the tripod articulation of the oscalcis, scaphoid, and astragalus with the structure sloping downwardly away from this zone to rotate the foot forwardly and outwardly. The structure is of lesser but substantial height in the region adapted to lie below and slightly behind the head of the first metatarsal, sloping downwardly and outwardly from this region to the plane of the normal sole face in the region lying below and slightly behind the headof the fifth metatarsal to rotate the foot outwardly. The supporting structure is adapted to converge with the normal sole face along a line extending generally from the region of the fifth metatarsal to the rear edge of the sole. This construction causes the weight of the wearer to be distributed principally according to the desired three point suspension. The invention is best described with reference to a preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sole having a supporting member positioned on the upper face thereof and showing the-relation between the member and the bone structure of a foot;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred unitary supporting member;

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the unitary supporting member of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation part being broken away and in section of a shoe including the supporting member.

In the preferred embodiment as shown in Fig. 1, a supporting member Ill is positioned on the normal upper face H of a generally flat sole 12 of conventional configuration. The supporting member l0 which constitutes the preferred embodiment extends rearwardly along the sole face from the metatarsal region of the sole. The forward edge [3 of member In extends across substantially the transverse extent of the sole from the region l4 lying immediately in back of the head of the first metatarsal l5 to the region 11 immediately behind the head of the fifth metatarsal l8. The inner edge 20 of the member l0 extends along and conforms to the inner edge 2| of sole I 2 from the region of the first metatarsal 22 of the rear edge of the sole. The outer edge 23 of member ID extends diagonally across the sole face from the fifth metatarsal region I! to the midpoint 22 of the rear edge of sole [2 so that the member is generally triangular in shape.

The lower face of member In is generally planar so as to lie flat against the upper sole face H. The member In is of maximum thickness in the area adjacent the inner edge 20 of member l0 lying generally below the articulation of the oscalcis 25, scaphoid 26, and astragalus 21, which area is indicated generally by the numeral 24.

The upper face '29 of member ID slopes downwardly and outwardly away from area 24 toward the outer edge 23 of member ID along which edge the member converges with the normal upper face ll of sole l2 in a feather edge. The raised area 24 thus elevates the plantar surface of the wearers foot in the area directly below the articulation of the oscalcis 25, scaph01d26, and astragalus 21 and the foot is rotated outwardly from the inner edge of the member.

The member 10 slopes gradually downwardly from area 24 toward the forward edge l3 in the region of the first metatarsal. This slope along the inner portion of the member is more gradual than the slope toward the outer edge for two reasons, namely, to provide support for the inner longitudinal arch of the foot and to leave the member of substantial but somewhat reduced thickness in the region immediately behind the head of the first metatarsal. Member I is thus of substantial thickness in the region M which is adapted to lie below and slightly behind the head of the first metatarsal l providing positive support for the plantar surface of the foot in that region and relieving pressure on the first metartarsal. Member ID preferably has a thickness in region [4 of from one-third to two-thirds the thickness of the member in the region of maximum thickness at 24. Memher I D is skived sharply downward from region M to converge with the sole face along the extent of the forward edge l3 of member 18. The member also slopes outwardly and downwardly from region M to the outer edge 23 of the member It so that the member is of negligible thickness in the region behind the head of the fifth metatarsal. By thus elevating the region behind the head of the first metatarsal, the foot is rotated outwardly so as to relieve pressure on the head of the first metatarsal and realign the transverse arch of the foot creating a more even plane of the plantar surface of the foot.

The supporting member thus exerts a positive pressure on the foot in the area below the articulation of the oscalcis. scaphoid and astragalus as well as in the region of the head of the first metatarsal. The rotational effect of the member concentrates the wearers weight on the outer side of the foot in the region behind the head of the fifth metatarsal. The result is the desired three-point weight suspension attained by means of a unitary member.

A supporting member may be constructed of any desired material such as hard or semi-hard rubber, fabric alone or impregnated with resin, etc., leather, or any other material which is not readily deformable. It is desirable, however, that the member possess at least slight resiliency such as normally possessed by shoesoles for foot comfort.

The supporting structure is preferably a single unitary member as described which may be positioned on the upper face of a conventional sole and which may be cemented or otherwise fastened in position if desired. In some cases, however, it may be desirable to construct a sole having the supporting structure as an integral part of the sole itself. Such a construction is particularly suitable when a molded sole is used since the upper face of the sole may be readily molded in the desired configuration.

The supporting structure may be used in combination with any article of footwear other than the overshoe type and is particularly applicable to shoes which normally have a generally flat sole.

The invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment but it will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sole having a raised supporting portion on the upper face thereof extending rearwardly from the metatarsal region, said portion being of maximum height adjacent the inner edge of the sole below the area of the oscalcis, scaphoid and astragalus and of from to said maximum height in the region of the first metatarsal, said portion slanting from the raised inner edge to converge with the normal sole face alonga line extending from the region of the 7 minimal fifth metatarsal to the rear edge of the sole whereby a foot positioned on said sole is rotated diagonally outwardly and forwardly from said area of the oscalcis, scaphoid and astragulus 5 to the region of the fifth metatarsal.

2. A sole having a raised supporting portion on the upper face thereof, said portion being of a maximum height in the area generally below the articulation of the oscalcis, scaphoid and astragulus to rotate the foot of the wearer outwardly and forwardly, said portion being raised from to said maximum height in the region of the head of the first metatarsal to rotate the foot outwardly, the first-named outward and forward rotation and the last-named outward rotation combining to cause overall rotation of the foot diagonally from the area below said articulation to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal and to concentrate a portion of the weight of the wearer in the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal.

3. A sole having a raised supporting portion on the upper face thereof, said raised portion being of maximum height adjacent the inner edge of the sole in the area generally below the articulation of the oscalcis, scaphoid, and astragalus and slanting downwardly away from the inner edge to converse with the normal sole face along a line extending from the center point of the rear edge of the sole diagonally to the outer edge of the sole at the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal, said raised portion having a gradual downward slant forward from the area of maximum height to the region immediately behind the head of the first metatarsal where the slope of the raised portion increases sharply so that the portion converges with the normal sole face in that region, said sole causing rotation of the foot of the wearer diagonally forwardly and outwardly from the area below said articulation to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal and distributing the thrust of said foot from the area below said articulation to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal to the region immediately behind the head of the first metatarsal.

4. In combination with a sole for an article of footwear, a supporting member extending along the inner edge of the sole from the region of the first metatarsal to the rear of the sole, said member being sharply skived in the region of the head of the first metatarsal with the member being of substantial thickness directly behind the head of the first metatarsal and then sliping gradually upward to an area of maximum thickness lying generally below the articulation of the oscalcis, scaphoid, and astragalus, the thickness behind the head of the first metatarsal being about one-half that of said maximum 60 thickness the member being skived downwardly away from the inneredge thereof to converge with the normal sole face along the outer edge of the member, said supporting member causing diagonally forward and outward rotation of a 65 foot positioned thereon from the area below said articulation to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal.

5. In combination with a sole for an article of footwear, a supporting member positioned on the 70 normal upper face of said sole extending rearwardly from the metatarsal region of the sole, the outer edge of said member extending from the outer edge of the sole at the metatarsal region to the rear edge of the sole, said mem- 75 her having a feather outer edge and increasing in thickness inwardly from the outer edge to a pointfof maximum thickness at the; inner edge of the member adaptedto' elevate and rotatethe articulation of the oscalcis, scaphoid, and astragalus and to a point of about one-half said thickness in the region behind the head of the first metatarsal adapted to elevate the first metatarsal and rotate the foot toward the fifth metatarsal, said rotational effects combining to cause overall rotation of the foot diagonally forwardly and outwardly from the area of said articulation to the area of the fifth metatarsal,

6. In combination with a sole for an articleof footwear, asupporting member positioned on the normal upper face thereof and secured thereto, said supporting member having aforward edge thereof extending transversely across the sole in-the metatarsal region with the inner edge conforming to and extending along the inner edge of the sole to the rear thereof, the outer edgeof said member extending diagonally across the sole from the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal to the-center of the rear edge of the sole, said member being of maximum thickness at an area adjacent theinner edge thereof below the oscalcis, scaphoid and astragalus and of lesser but substantial thickness at a point on the inner edge adjacent the inner edge of the member in the region behind the head of the first metatarsal, said member sloping downwardly and outwardly away from said point to converge with the normal face of the sole along the extent of the outer edge of the member and to cause rotation of a foot positioned on said member diagonally forwardly and outwardly from the area of maximum thickness of said member to the region underlying the head of the fifth metatarsal.

'7. A supporting member for use in combination with an article of footwear, said member being generally wedge shaped with a planar lower face convergent with the upper face of the member at a feather edge along the extent of the outer edge of the said member, the inner edge of said member conforming to the shape of that portion of the inner edge of a shoe sole extending from the region of the head of the first metatarsal rearward to the rear edge of the heel, the forward edge of said member being adapted to extend transversely across a shoe sole from the first to the fifth metatarsal region, the outer feather edge joining the forward edge in the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal and joining the inner edge at its rearward terminus, said member being of maximum thickness at a point adjacent the inner edge thereof adapted to lie generally below the articulation of the oscalcis, scaphoid and astragalus, the upper face being gradually inclined forward from the point of maximum thickness to a point of about onehalf said maximum thickness adjacent the juncture of the forward and inner edges thereof, said member being inclined downwardly and outwardly from said point to the outer edge, said member being adapted to cause diagonally forward and outward rotation of a foot positioned thereon from the region of said articulation to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal and to distribute the weight concentration of said foot from the region of said articulation to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal to the region of the head of the first metatarsal.

8. A supporting member for use in combination with an article of footwear, said member having a generally planar lower face, the memher being" of maximum thickness at an area adjacent the inner edge thereof adapted to elevate thearticulation of the oscalcis, scaphoid and astragalus with the upper face of said member being inclined away from said area of maximum thickness to rotate the foot of the wearer forwardly'and outwardly, said member being graduallyinclined forwardly along its inner edge to apoint of lesser but substantial thickness adapted to lie in the region behind the headof the first metatarsal to rotate the foot outwardly and shift the weight of the wearer to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal in which region the member is of negligible thickness, the combined rotational effects producing an overall r0- tation of the foot diagonally forwardly and outwardly from said articulation to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal.

9. An article of footwear comprising a sole and support member, said support member being of maximum thickness in the region adjacent the inner edge thereof adapted to elevate the articulationof the oscalcis, scaphoid and astragalus of the foot of the wearer and being of substantial but lesser thickness in the region below and behind the head of the first metatarsal, said member being of decreasing thickness outwardly from said region and forming a feather edge in the region below and behind the head of the fifth metatarsal, said article being adapted to rotate the foot of a wearer diagonally forwardly and outwardly from said articulation to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal.

10. An article of footwear comprising a sole and support member, said support member being positioned on the upper face of said sole extending rearwardly from the metatarsal region thereof, the lower face of said member being generally planar and generally triangular, the forward edge of said member extending transversely across the sole in the metatarsal region with the member having a feather edge in the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal, said member increasing in thickness inwardly from said feather edge to a point of substantial thickness in the region behind the head of the first metatarsal, the upper face of said member being inclined upwardly from this region to the zone of the member generally below the articulation of'the oscalcis, scaphoid and astragalus where the member is of maximum thickness, the member being inclined from the zone of maximum thickness and. about twice that thickness of the region behind the head of the first metatarsal outwardly to converge with the normal sole face along the outer edge of the member, said article being adapted to rotate the foot of a wearer diagonally forwardly and outwardly from said articulation to the region of the fifth metatarsal head.

11. An article of footwear comprising a sole and a support member positioned on the upper face of the sole, the forward edge of the member extending across substantially the transverse extent of the sole in the metatarsal region thereof, the inner edge of the member conforming to and lying along the inner edge of the sole from the metatarsal region to the rear edge of the sole, the outer edge of the member extending from substantially the outer edge of the sole in the metatarsal region diagonally across the sole to the rear edge thereof, said member being of maximum thickness in the region adjacent the inner edge thereof adapted to elevate the articulation of the oscalcis, scaphoid, and astragalus thereof to converge with the normal sole face along the outer edge of the member, said article being adapted to rotate the foot of the wearer diagonally forwardly and outwardly from said articulation toward the region of the fifth metatarsal head.

12.- An article of footwear comprising. a supporting sole having. a. generally planar lower face, said sole being of maximum thickness at a point generally below the articulation of the oscalcis, scaphoid and astragalus with the upper face of the sole sloping downwardly away from said point to rotate the foot of the wearer forwardly and outwardly, said. sole being of a thickness less than said maximum thickness but greater than normal thickness in the region directly beind. the head of the first metatarsal with the sole face sloping downwardly and outwardly from. said region to the region of the head of the fifth metatarsal where the sole is: of normal thickness, said article acting to distribute the weight concentration of the foot of the wearer from the point below said articulation to the region. of the head of the: fifth metatarsal to the region of the head of the first metatarsal.

HYMAN L. WHITMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file: of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date v 1,487,095 Foster av Mar. 18, 1924 1,636,905 Falor et a1. July 26, 1927 1,636,415 Saperston- July 10, 1928 1,701,839 Divel'ey et a1. Febl 12, 1929 1,720,120 Diveley et al, July 9,v 1929 1,832,659 Riley l Nov. 17, 1931 1,845,681 Read i Feb. 16, 1932 L,938,l27 Whitman a Dec. 5, 1933 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,497,250 February 14, 1950 HYMAN L. WHITMAN It 'is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, lines 4 and 10, for astragulus read astragalus; line 54, for sliping read sloping; column 6, lines 53 and 54, strike out the words and about twice that thickness'of the region behind the head of the first metatarsal and insert the same after thickness and before the comma in line 51, same column;

nd that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of August, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

